go juice

We strive to be exceptional friends, mothers, daughters, sisters, and employees. But even the most miraculous of us fall short of our superhuman goals now and then. Lisa Odenweller, founder of organic raw food brand Beaming, shares a trio of recipes to help our bodies stay upbeat and energized.

BY ELENA SCHMIDT

lisa odenweller was always ahead of the fitness curve, maintaining regular exercise and a diet she considered highly nutritious. When she developed hormonal issues in her late thirties, however, she took a closer look at the foods she consumed. Rather than medicating, Odenweller incorporated more vegetables into her diet and removed processed and non-organic foods.

“Immediately, I felt and saw the difference in my energy levels, mental clarity, and mood stability,” she recalls.

The concept of “food as medicine” inspired Odenweller to create Beaming, known for its “Not Just Juice” cleanse.

According to Odenweller, Americans who are hooked on caffeine and sugar to get through the day are operating on a flawed premise. “Caffeine is an addiction,” she warns, “and not necessarily something we need to sustain energy.”

Rather than reaching for that extra cup of coffee or tea in the afternoon, a green juice will provide one of the best sources of natural energy and plenty of healthy ingredients. “Raw foods are full of energy because they are ‘living foods’ with the greatest amount of nutrients, and enzymes that are easily digestible.”

Translation: The more fruits and vegetables you consume, the more energy your system receives. Plus, your body will thank you for the abundance of vitamins and minerals it may well have been lacking before.

Liver Cleanse Juice

✤ 1 red beet, peeled and chopped

✤ 3 carrots, peeled and chopped

✤ ½ cucumber, peeled and chopped

✤ 5 celery stalks, chopped handful spinach, roughly chopped

✤ 1 1-inch piece ginger, peeled and chopped

✤ 1 ½-inch piece turmeric (optional), peeled and chopped

Place ingredients in a high-powered blender. Blend well.

“Beets are a natural liver detoxifier and blood purifier, and help to lower blood pressure.” says Odenweller. “Carrots are a great source of energy and have high levels of vitamin A— great for eyes and radiant skin. Spinach is one of the ‘power greens’ and turmeric is one of the planet’s most powerful plants due to its cancer-fighting properties. Try drinking this in the afternoon if you have an energy dip and want a pickme-up without caffeine. This juice has more ‘fruit sugar’ from the beets and carrots than the detoxifying juice.”

Detoxifying & Energizing Green Juice

✤ 2 fennel bulbs, fronds and ends cut off, stalks chopped

✤ 1 cucumber, peeled and chopped

✤ 6 celery stalks, chopped

✤ 1 2-inch piece ginger, peeled and chopped

✤ 2 tbsp fresh lime juice

✤ ¼ green apple, sliced

✤ ½ bunch cilantro, roughly chopped

Place ingredients in a high-powered blender. Blend well.

“This Detoxifying and Energizing Green Juice is the perfect way to start your day,” Odenweller says. (She and her team at Beaming truly walk the talk when it comes to juicing.) “My personal recommendation—and bias—is always ‘the more greens, the better’ in any juice. Greens have the least amount of sugar and the most amount of nutrients, giving you sustainable energy so you can avoid any kind of sugar crash. The drink’s cucumber and celery help to balance and hydrate the body, with minimal calories. Fennel is fantastic for digestion and gives a nice, natural sweetness. Meanwhile, ginger is ideal for digestion and helps to kill off bad bacteria. Apples offer just the right amount of sweetness from a low-glycemic fruit, and cilantro is incredibly detoxifying.”

Restore & Hydrate Juice

✤ ½ medium cantaloupe, skin and seeds removed, chopped

✤ 1½ to 2 cups coconut water (from approximately one large coconut)

✤ 1 scoop of coconut flesh (a few tbsp)

Place all ingredients in a high-speed blender. Blend well and enjoy immediately. (Serves 3)

“Refreshing and hydrating cantaloupecoconut water is the perfect way to energize after a long workout, or anytime you crave caffeine or something sweet. Coconut water is packed with rehydration properties and potassium to keep you energized. It also assists digestion, offers nutrients and electrolytes, and promotes clear skin. Cantaloupe is light and refreshing, with vitamin C, vitamin A, and beta-carotene.” l

NIKKI DINKI

Who she is: It’s hard to believe Nikki Dinki, 39, co-host of the Cooking Channel’s Junk Food Flip with Bobby Deen, was a veggie hater when you see her wondrous ways with produce. Her book, Meat on the Side: Delicious, VegetableFocused Recipes for Every Day

What she does: On both the show and her blog, NikkiDinkiCooking,com, she turns high-cal splurges into healthy meals. “I cook primarily ‘meat on the side,’ focusing on vegetables as the center.”

What drives her: “As a child, I hated vegetables and existed on bread and cheese,” It wasn’t until Dinki was in her early twenties that her diet proved problematic.“I had digestive problems and low energy levels. I wasn’t getting the protein and other nutrients that I needed.”